Physiotherapists have been using forms of acupuncture to treat musculoskeletal pain for over 40 years. The use of western styles of acupuncture practiced at The Therapy Centre can help to reduce pain and facilitate movement aiding the recovery process from injury. It is rarely used as a stand-alone treatment and we combine its use with manual therapy techniques, exercises and traditional physiotherapy methods.

What Is Acupuncture And How Can It Help?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to promote healing and balance. It is increasingly used as a complementary treatment for musculoskeletal pain, with a growing body of research supporting its effectiveness in managing various types of pain, including chronic pain, joint pain, muscle pain, and conditions like arthritis or back pain.

How Acupuncture Works For Musculoskeletal Pain:

Traditional Chinese Medicine explains that health is the result of a harmonious balance of the complementary extremes of yin and yang of the life force known as Qi, pronounced “chi.” Advocates believe that illness is the consequence of an imbalance of these forces.

According to TCM, Qi flows through meridians, or pathways, in the human body. These meridians and energy flows are accessible through 361 acupuncture points in the body. Inserting needles into these points with appropriate combinations will bring the energy flow back into balance.

Whist western science has not been able to substantiate this fully, studies have shown it to be beneficial in managing pain.

Acupuncture is believed to work through several mechanisms that help reduce pain and promote healing in the body. While the full understanding of how acupuncture works is still being studied, the mechanisms possibly include:

Endorphin release

Stimulating sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles results in the body producing natural substances, such as pain-killing endorphins and it is likely that these substances are responsible for the beneficial effects.

Sensory stimulation

Stimulating sensory nerves can block the transmission of pain-sensing nerves by overwhelming them

Central stimulation

Acupuncture needling has been shown to have a direct effect on specific areas of the brain and may have a central effect on pain perception

Blood flow

Needle stimulation at sites where multiple sensory neurons exist may affect pain processing in the central nervous system and increase blood flow to certain parts of the body

How acupuncture is performed

An initial acupuncture session involves an assessment of your general health, and medical history and a physical examination, followed by the insertion of the acupuncture needles.

Courses of treatment often involve several separate sessions, but this can vary.

Insertion of the needles

  • During the session, you’ll usually be asked to sit or lie down. You may also be asked to remove some clothes to access certain parts of your body.
  • Needles are inserted into specific places on the body, which practitioners call acupuncture points.
  • The needles used are very fine and are usually a few centimetres long. They are single-use, pre-sterilised needles that are disposed of immediately after removal.
  • Specific points are chosen to place the needles based on your condition and several points may be used during a typical session depending on the symptoms you have.
  • The needles may be inserted just under the skin, or deeper so they reach muscle. Once the needles are in place, they may be left in position for a length of time lasting from a few minutes up to around 30 minutes.
  • You may feel a tingling or a dull ache when the needles are inserted. This is known as the needling sensation and is often interpreted as a good sign. You should not experience any significant pain butf you do, let your practitioner know straight away.
  • During the session, you’ll usually be asked to sit or lie down. You may also be asked to remove some clothes to access certain parts of your body.
  • Needles are inserted into specific places on the body, which practitioners call acupuncture points.
  • The needles used are very fine and are usually a few centimetres long. They are single-use, pre-sterilised needles that are disposed of immediately after removal.
  • Specific points are chosen to place the needles based on your condition and several points may be used during a typical session depending on the symptoms you have.
  • The needles may be inserted just under the skin, or deeper so they reach muscle. Once the needles are in place, they may be left in position for a length of time lasting from a few minutes up to around 30 minutes.
  • You may feel a tingling or a dull ache when the needles are inserted. This is known as the needling sensation and is often interpreted as a good sign. You should not experience any significant pain butf you do, let your practitioner know straight away.

Acupuncture safety and regulation

There’s no statutory regulation of acupuncture in England but when done by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture is generally very safe.

Some people experience mild, short-term side effects such as:

  • pain where the needles puncture the skin
  • bleeding or bruising where the needles puncture the skin
  • drowsiness
  • feeling sick
  • feeling dizzy or faint

Serious side effects such as a punctured lung or infection are very rare.

Notify the acupuncture practitioner if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking any anticoagulant medicines before you have acupuncture.

Acupuncture is also not advised if you have a metal allergy or an infection in the area where needles may be inserted.

It’s generally safe to have acupuncture when you’re pregnant but let your acupuncture practitioner know because certain acupuncture points cannot be used safely during pregnancy.